Why Is My Hedge Trimmer Blade Not Moving

You’re out in the garden, ready to tackle those unruly hedges, but when you turn on your trimmer, the blade doesn’t move. 

Or perhaps you’re in the middle of a trimming session when the blade suddenly stops working, leaving you with an unfinished job. 

These scenarios are surely frustrating. Aren’t they?

Well, Do Not Panic!!

They can be easily avoided if you have the right knowledge and tools. Yeah, that’s right!

Whether your hedge trimmer is smoking, not cutting, or not working, remember that these problems can be easily prevented with proper care and maintenance.

As a general rule of thumb, you must find the cause before fixing the problem. Most importantly, you have to examine what mistakes you made in the past that eventually made the blade stuck.

Generally, it can be fixed with a simple solution. However, you may need to put in some more effort in some cases.

No more talk; let’s explore what can be the possible reasons behind why electric hedge trimmer stopped working, as well as, how you can fix them in simple yet effective steps!

Reasons Why Is My Hedge Trimmer Blade Not Moving Properly

The probability of getting a hedge trimmer blade jammed is high, and it does not matter if you use an electric or gas-powered trimmer. This might happen for a few reasons.

If the hedge trimmer turns on, but the blade won’t move, another culprit will likely need to be addressed. Problems with the clutch, gearbox, or blades can prevent the hedge trimmer blades from moving.

Starting to show signs of it being worn out is presumed to be the most common one. These signs of wear cause debris to get trapped in the cutting mechanism.

1. Broken Clutch

The clutch that has been broken or improperly adjusted will block the movement of the hedge trimmer. If the clutch adjustment is incorrect, the professional can quickly sort out this problem, but if the clutches are broken or fragmented, they must be replaced with new ones.

One critical step that needs to be taken during the replacement process of the clutches is to use the correct part number; otherwise, the hedge trimmer blade will undergo further damage.

2. Stripped Gears

Another common reason why my ryobi hedge trimmer blades not moving is the stripped gears. The gears are in the gearbox and are directly attached to the blade of the equipment.

Over time, it’s common for the gears to get damaged or stripped. It should be replaced with brand new gears to sort out this issue. Simple!

3. Wore Out Blades

Regarding the damaged blades, it cause the main problem in the movement. First, we need to know why the blade is broken. When any piece of twig or dirt is lodged in the blades, they will block the movement, and the blades will not move freely.

Bent teeth are another cause of damaged blades. It occurs when the equipment is accidentally dropped or hit with a hard object.

4. Clogged Fuel Filter

Issues with the fuel filter can easily be prevented, as it causes to reduce the functional ability of the hedge trimmer. The fuel filter keeps dirt and other impurities from getting into the engine, so it plays an essential role in maintaining a hedge trimmer running smoothly.

Chocked fuel filters almost make it impossible to move the blades. Over time though, fuel filters get dirty. It gets worse if you never take out old fuel from the engine. When fuel is left unused in the tank, it dissipates and turns into a thick sludge.

Draining the fuel out of the tank and replacing the filter is the only solution to overcome this situation.

5. Cramped Carburetor

Another common reason a hedge trimmer won’t start is a restricted carburetor, which means that the fuel in the equipment cannot travel through.

A clogged carburetor is most commonly caused by leaving fuel in the hedge trimmer for an extended period.

Over time, some of the ingredients in the fuel may evaporate, leaving behind a stickier substance. This glutinous fuel can clog up the carburetor and cause the engine to stall.

It can be cleaned, but replacing it with a brand-new carburetor is a better option. 

6. Defective Rewind Spring or Pulley

A defective or worn-out rewind spring is another reason your hedge trimmer blade is jammed. When you pull and release the starter cord, the rewind spring recoils the cord into the pulley.

But if the spring is worn out or broken, it will be unable to do any recoil.

To fix this, turn the hedge trimmer off and check the pulley. You can replace only the broken spring or the entire recoil starter if damaged.

Replacing the rewind spring is often all you need to do, but if another spring breaks, you have to do this all over again. 

Getting a new recoil starter kit is better if your hedge trimmer is old and heavily used.

7. Inoperative Sparkling Plug

Another common reason a hedge trimmer won’t start is a problem with the spark plug. Inspect the spark plug and look for signs of carbon on the electrode. 

If the electrode is damaged or burned away, it will have no spark.

The spark plug will be worn out when there are a lot of carbon deposits. The spark plug must be discarded when the insulator is cracked or damaged.

A spark should be on the terminals when the spark plug works well, and there will be no spark when the spark plug is damaged and replaced immediately to see if that is the problem.

Replacing a spark plug is always better than trying to fix it.

Moving on, let’s have a look at how to maintain your hedge trimmer;

Related: Why Is My Electric Hedge Trimmer Not Working

Get Your Trimmer Blades Working Like New: Simple Maintenance Tips

Regular maintenance is crucial to keep your hedge trimmer in tip-top condition. That means proper storage, routine care, servicing, and cleaning.

Elements like the blades, motor, air filter, and handle grips need proper attention and regular care.

Let’s look at three effortless ways to maintain the trustworthiness and performance of your hedge trimmer.

#1. Wipe off the dirt with a clean piece of cloth.

#2. Every 50 hours of use, you should replace or sharpen them.

#3. Lubricate the blades with a recommended lubricant to maintain their shine.

Apart from that, the cleanliness of the blades is quite important. 

As these blades are designed for trimming but get exposed to dirt, grime, dust, sap, and other ground materials over time, they get clogged up and can no longer move.

But you don’t need to worry; this problem can be quickly resolved.

• First, to figure out the problem with the hedge trimmer blade, we must ensure that it is electrically disconnected and turned off! Examine the blades and check the issue of why the stihl hs45 hedge trimmer blades not moving.
• If dirt and small branches are causing a problem for the blades in their working, separate them. 
• Once removed, wipe the dirt or debris off with a piece of cloth. Do not use water because it could lead to rust. You can use a long, thin brush to scrape off hard-to-reach dirt.
• Once the blades are clean, return them to the hedge trimmer and try again. The blades should move adequately now. For the best results, lubricate the blades regularly.

Without any shadow of a doubt, these tips and tricks will do wonders for you if followed appropriately. 

But are they enough? Well, probably not!

If your trimmer still got severe issues and can’t move because you haven’t followed any of the tips previously, you can simply sharpen the blades to boost their efficiency.

To learn about how you can sharpen the blades, keep reading.

Related: How To Maintain Hedge Trimmer

Don’t Toss Those Dull Blades: Know How to Sharpen and Reuse Them!

Brand-new hedge trimmer blades should last 3-4 months, depending on use. Then, they must be sharpened every 50-60 hours. The blades may only work partially if they are dull and rusty.

Sharpening the blades helps it to work more efficiently. If you get uneven or ragged cuts, your hedge trimmer’s blades must be sharpened.

Step 1. Sharpen The Blades

First, you need to turn the hedge trimmer electrically off and separate the blades from the device. Don’t forget to wear your safety gloves and goggles. 

Secondly, use a clean cloth to wipe off the dirt and piece of debris. Do not use water, as it will cause rust. Instead, you can use a thick brush to clean the blades.

Now, you need a file sharpener to sharpen the blades. Start moving the file on the edges, and elevate the file when you reach the endpoint. Again, lead the file to the position and stroke it on edge.

Complete this process on both blades and do the same steps so the result will not vary.

Apply water whenever necessary, or polish the blades with a whetstone.

Finally, wipe off the pieces of twigs or debris and apply lubricant. You are done with the sharpening, and your blades are ready to fit right into your hedge trimmer.

Related: Can You Sharpen Hedge Trimmer Blades

Step 2. It’s Time To Lubricate

When you’re done with the sharpening process, the very next step you should take is lubricating them.

Here’s why and how:

• There are two advantages of lubricating the blades before and after using them. When you lubricate them before using them, they will work perfectly without creating any disturbance while trimming the bushes and twigs.
• Over time, you may observe that your hedge trimmer’s blades begin to stop when you try to cut the various hedges and shrubbery in your yard. This is not only irritating, but it also creates difficulty in gardening work.
• It can make your work more complicated and rough. To ensure your blades are functioning efficiently, lubricate them thoroughly.
• But the question arises of which type of lubricant is best for the blades to maintain their shine and working power.
• In some cases, there is a recommended lubricant name in the manual along with the machine. However, if you don’t know which lubricant is best for your equipment, you can use any other type, like WD-40 is a better option.
• Now, it’s time to figure out how to lubricate the blades. There are many ways, and you can choose any of them. Suppose you can dip the whole blade in the oil or simply lubricate it with a piece of cloth.

Note: Always apply lubricant oil on the blades before inserting them into the hedge trimmer to maintain their condition and working ability.

Applying oil after using them helps remove debris and dirt specks, which cause the trimmer’s blades to stop moving.

Related: What To Use to Lubricate Hedge Trimmer Blades

Frequently Asked Questions

1) What do I do if the hedge trimmer cuts unevenly?

If the trimming result is not even, the blades may be blunt – the hedge may be too large for the equipment to work correctly. Consult your instruction manual to learn how to change or sharpen the blades.

2) Will my hedge trimmer not work with only one switch pressed in?

For safety purposes, hedge trimmers are designed to operate with triple switches. These switches are designed to prevent the hedge trimmers from accidents and damage to the person using them. This excellent feature provides a perfect grip on the tool to cut the twigs with the best operating position.

3) Should the blade be sharpened?

Keeping the blades clean and sharp will make work easier, give a better cut finish and reduce vibration with the tool while cutting. It’s better to see your manual to check the recommended sharpening tools.

4) Do hedge trimmer blades need to be lubricated?

For long-lasting blade life and the best operation, lubricating the hedge trimmer blades with quality machine oil is essential before and after every use.

5) Can I use WD-40 to lubricate the hedge trimmer?

Of course, yes! However, it’s not compulsory to lubricate the hedge trimmer blades to prevent rusting, as they are made of rust-resistant steel. You can use any quality lubricant to clean its blades, but I personally recommend a light spray, like WD-40 to provide it with a thin coating.

Conclusion

Now that you know some of the common reasons why your hedge trimmer blade may not be moving, it’s important to take action to keep your trimmer running smoothly. 

Just follow all the above steps to ensure you do it flawlessly and safely!

To prevent your blade worn out, clean it thoroughly after use, maintain its shine and working, and store it in a proper place. 

You just need to remember that this is only up to you to avoid the blade to blunt. Be more careful – so it doesn’t happen again in the future.

Take care of your equipment, and happy trimming!